Steply

Convert π/2 to degrees

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Degrees and radians · Trigonometry

Step by step

The question

Question: change π/2 to degrees.

1 Write the rule

Radians are another way to measure an angle.

A half turn is 180°.

In radians, a half turn is π.

So π = 180°.

π = 180°

We divide both sides by π.

One radian is 180° over π.

1 radian = 180°π

Careful!

To get degrees, π must cancel.

So π goes at the bottom.

Careful: to degrees: × 180°π

2 Multiply

π/2 radians is π/2 times one radian.

So we multiply by 180° over π.

π2 = π2 × 180°π

π on top and π at the bottom: π over π is 1.

Cross them out.

What is left: 180° over 2.

π2 = 180°2

3 Make it simpler

First 180 divided by 2: 90.

Dividing first keeps the numbers small.

180 ÷ 2 = 90

So π/2 = 90°.

π2 = 90°

4 Check

Let's check: go back to radians.

Times π over 180.

90 × π180 = 90π180 = π2

We get π/2 again.

So it is right!

Let's look back.

First: write the rule.

Then: multiply.

Then: make it simpler.

Last: check.

Answer
π2 = 90°

Your turn

Try this one yourself, then check:

π4 to degrees
Show the answer
π4 = 45°

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